Foul-mouthed Mr Mitchell also warned the cops they would pay for failing to
open the famous gates for him.

The Chief Whip — who launched a venomous rant at the officers after being
barred from cycling through the security barrier — made his threat as he
used a side entrance instead.

He bawled at the PCs, one a woman: “You haven’t heard the last of this.”

Fearing they would be disciplined, the Downing St gun cops immediately
submitted a verbatim report to superiors. It included the Tory enforcer’s
insult, “you’re f***ing plebs”, and “learn your f***ing place”.

But the male PC he swore at most — and who filed the official report — stuck
by his account. Met Police Federation boss John Tully said: “I know who I
believe.” He added: “There is extensive CCTV coverage throughout Downing
Street. There isn’t audio but I’ve no reason to doubt the integrity of the
officers.”

Heaping on pressure, a Labour Party spokesman said: “Either the Chief Whip
used appalling and offensive language to an officer going about their duty
or Mr Mitchell is saying the officer is lying.”

Mr Cameron was forced to interrupt a meeting with officers in Greater
Manchester yesterday following the deaths of PCs Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola
Hughes, 23.

The PM said: “What Andrew Mitchell said and what he did was not appropriate.
It was wrong.” Mr Cameron insisted: “Police do an outstanding job. I am very
conscious of the protection they give to me and my family and the work they
do for everyone in public life.

“The police should always have our respect and support.”

Stories also began to emerge last night that suggested Mr Mitchell had behaved
brutishly to subordinates.